VA lounge access, flying other airline

[jackthomas]

Further update on this, after using this little self scan loophole for the last few months (thanks for the heads up!) the self scanner at MEL lounge is now hooked up to check bookings so will no longer work this way. Lounge staff unwilling to make any exceptions. Was good while it lasted!!!

That's a shame! It was a nice sneaky trick while we could...

 

[incumbent]

That's a shame! It was a nice sneaky trick while we could...

I think it's good news. Thrashing the rules to within an inch of their lives is one thing, outright breaking them is another.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I think it's good news. Thrashing the rules to within an inch of their lives is one thing, outright breaking them is another.

I wish I could "like" this post a few dozen more times. I've been flying JQ for a little bit now and happily sit outside the VA lounge with the mob. I'm happy to push the rules to the limit, but like was posted, deliberately breaching the rules is poor form in my book.

 

[jackthomas]

I think it's good news. Thrashing the rules to within an inch of their lives is one thing, outright breaking them is another.

If lounges were at full capacity I can understand, personally I only fly airlines who I have access with, and the only time I've needed the trick was for 15 minutes waiting for my partners delayed flight to land. If a lounge is full then I agree, however in the middle of the day, as an elite member having a glass of water I have no issue.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

If lounges were at full capacity I can understand, personally I only fly airlines who I have access with, and the only time I've needed the trick was for 15 minutes waiting for my partners delayed flight to land. If a lounge is full then I agree, however in the middle of the day, as an elite member having a glass of water I have no issue.

Trouble is, there may be many others who do deliberately abuse it, fly JQ drop in to VA and guzzle as much grog as they can fit in. The fact is, all airlines have to have rules for their lounges and it doesn't matter if the lounge is full or empty or if it's a glass of water or a stubby of beer, it is breaching the rules we have agreed to abide by as part of membership of this lounge or frequent flyer scheme. They dropped ATA for status members intentionally. I can't see how it's our right to sneakily take it back.........but that's just me.

BTW, I have also accessed the VA lounge whilst not flying, to wait for my wifes flight to land, but she was flying VA and I asked the lounge angel if it was OK and she agreed. I think if the need is acceptable, they do extend their hospitality, but had she refused, so be it!

 

[jackthomas]

I don't see much difference when you compare it to the countless folks who use QF arrivals lounge access (against the rules) by just flashing their card.
At this stage, the little loophole is done now anyway

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I don't see much difference when you compare it to the countless folks who use arrivals lounge access (against the rules) by just flashing their card.
At this stage, the little loophole is done now anyway

Arrivals lounge access is permitted for status holders.

 

[jackthomas]

Arrivals lounge access is permitted for status holders.

I just realised I meant QF not VA...Obviously arrivals is eligible for gold and platinums.

 

[serfty]

...
BTW, I have also accessed the VA lounge whilst not flying, to wait for my wifes flight to land, but she was flying VA and I asked the lounge angel if it was OK and she agreed. I think if the need is acceptable, they do extend their hospitality, but had she refused, so be it!

Note that information from the VA rep posted here is that access is permitted as long as either the member or a guest is flying VA that day.

 

[DJ332]

As a point of interest, I recently flew VA J from AKL to MEL and had about five hours to spare before a separate Tiger flight to ADL. I have no status. Asked the VA lounge angel very politely whether I could crash out for a few hours, well aware I'd have to keep an eye on the time and make it to T4 before check in closed. I expected a flat refusal, but she scanned my AKL-MEL boarding pass and waved me through. A shower, coffee and light lunch were just what the doctor ordered given the long stopover.

 

[PDog]

I'm VA Plat flying in on SQ on a Sat night. Can my husband access the Melb lounge while he waits for me to deal with immigration / customs?

 

[Ausbt]

I'm VA Plat flying in on SQ on a Sat night. Can my husband access the Melb lounge while he waits for me to deal with immigration / customs?

If he is carrying your Velocity card and you have a relatively androgynous name , I'd say it's somewhat likely. Otherwise, no.

 

[mooingchicken]

I'm VA Plat flying in on SQ on a Sat night. Can my husband access the Melb lounge while he waits for me to deal with immigration / customs?

International? There is no VA lounges... or are you meaning the domestic lounge? even then It would be a no unless he has any status or you have onward flights and they are feeling very generous

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm VA Plat flying in on SQ on a Sat night. Can my husband access the Melb lounge while he waits for me to deal with immigration / customs?

I must admit to being a bit confused by this. I haven't done int out of MEL so is there int lounges land side of customs? I'd be surprised if there are. As said, I doubt VA would let him into the dom lounge without status or an onward J. It'd be a big call otherwise as I assume you'll exit customs, ring him so he knows you're finished and go straight home/hotel......or are you flying onward domestically?

 

[PDog]

I must admit to being a bit confused by this. I haven't done int out of MEL so is there int lounges land side of customs? I'd be surprised if there are. As said, I doubt VA would let him into the dom lounge without status or an onward J. It's be a big call otherwise as I assume you'll exit customs, ring him so he knows you're finished and go straight home/hotel......or are your flying onward domestically?

sorry, I wasn't clear. Domestic lounge, I am travelling on SQ J, he is just at the airport to drive me home (bless him!)
He doesn't have status (well, my flight will get him back to gold!) but has the AMEX passes. Just trying to make his wait better!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

sorry, I wasn't clear. Domestic lounge, I am travelling on SQ J, he is just at the airport to drive me home (bless him!)
He doesn't have status (well, my flight will get him back to gold!) but has the AMEX passes. Just trying to make his wait better!

I doubt it, but hey, stranger things have happened!

 

[PDog]

If he is carrying your Velocity card and you have a relatively androgynous name , I'd say it's somewhat likely. Otherwise, no.

ha, no, mine is clearly a girl's name! Will try asking nicely. Ta!

 

[PDog]

I doubt it, but hey, stranger things have happened!

True! As a gold I asked for an extra guest once as I had my husband & my father with me. They let us all in, claiming it was too awkard to make me choose lol!